Las Vegas: Diamond dealers remained cautious in February amid excess supply and selective demand. Suppliers had low expectations for the important Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, as economic and political factors have impacted sentiment in China. There was stable demand at the show for 0.70- to 1.99-carat, F-J, VS2-SI2 diamonds, with the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1 carat up 0.1% in February. Buyers did better than sellers at the fair. Far East jewellers were looking to restock 0.30- to 0.49-carat goods after the Chinese New Year, but were prepared to walk away if their low offers…
Author: Editor
The Fraser Institute has named Botswana as a top mining jurisdiction beating other countries according to latest Annual Survey of Mining Companies. The report for 2018 also says Nevada is the most attractive jurisdiction in the world for mining investment, followed by Western Australia (2nd) and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan (3rd). The survey highlighted that the median score for Africa on policy factors (PPI) increased this year. This was also the case for the region’s median investment attractiveness score. In terms of overall investment attractiveness, as a region, Africa ranks as the second least attractive jurisdiction for investment. “Botswana…
Botswana Diamonds (BOD)– the AIM and BSE listed explorer– says it has completed the first phase of the intensification drilling programme on Thorny River with. The company said Eighteen holes have been drilled on the farm Hartbeesfontein with twelve intersecting kimberlite. A bulk sampling target of 1.5 km of kimberlite fissure intersection has been identified. “The second phase of the drilling programme taking place on the farm Frischgewaagt has commenced with three holes drilled so far, all of which intersected kimberlite,” stated the exploration company. “ The third hole intersected 4.5m of kimberlite fissure down the hole, which is the…
Cupric Canyon Capital, the owners of the Khoemacau Copper Silver Project, said it has raised funding that will be used towards the advancement of their mine in Botswana. The company revealed in a filing that a US$565 million project funding package to commence development of its high-quality Khoemacau copper silver underground mining project has been signed. The funding includes US$275 million senior debt facility from Red Kite Mine Finance, a US$265 million silver stream from RGLD Gold AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Gold, Inc. and a US$25 million subordinated debt facility from RG AG. “Securing the Project Funding…
Sub-Saharan Africa’s bourgeoning country of Botswana today welcomed its first Hilton property with the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone. The property is Hilton’s (NYSE:HLT) first in the country and joins 43 existing Hilton properties in Africa, including three by Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton’s award-winning midscale brand, as the hospitality leader continues to expand its presence across the continent. Conveniently located in the heart of the capital’s up-and-coming central business district, Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone forms part of a mixed-use retail and office development and is just a 15-minute drive from the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. Set to welcome business travellers and…
Wilderness Safaris is delighted to have been nominated in the World’s Best Tour Operator category in the 2019 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards Survey, as well as to have 38 of its luxury safari camps and lodges listed in the Best Hotels category. Readers and travellers are now encouraged to vote online with the poll being live until 4 March 2019. “As Africa’s leading authentic and sustainable ecotourism company, it is our vision to conserve and restore Africa’s wilderness and wildlife by creating life-changing journeys and inspiring positive action. We strongly believe in the Luxury of Purpose, and that it is…
Botswana government could lift the hunting following recommendations by an executive committee that was set up to consult the public on the thorny topic. The Cabinet Sub Committee on Hunting Ban Social Dialogue has since completed the consultations and presented the findings and recommendation to President Mokgweetsi Masisi. The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, pursuant to Statutory Instrument no. 2 of 2014, took a decision to stop hunting of wildlife in all areas of Botswana effective January 2014 during former president Ian Khama’s administration. Presenting the findings, the minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Frans Van…
Anglo American, the parent company to De Beers, has revised down its diamond production target for 2019 on the back of planned processing of exiting ore from the Venetia open pit in South Africa. The company added in its preliminary results for 2018 that this year’s global diamond jewellery consumer demand faces a number of headwinds, including the risk of a potential intensification of US-China trade tensions. “Production in 2019 is expected to be in the range of 31-33 million carats, subject to trading conditions,” Anglo said in a statement accompanying the results. “The lower production is driven by the…
Survival International – the global movement for tribal peoples – has announced its renowned annual photography competition, welcoming entries from both amateur and professional photographers worldwide. The competition aims to celebrate photography’s role in raising awareness of tribal peoples, their unique ways of life, and the threats to their existence. The theme for 2019’s competition is “Tribal People for Tomorrow’s World,” based on a book of the same name by Survival’s Director, Stephen Corry. The book rejects stereotypes of tribal people as “primitive” or “exotic.” Their life choices are conscious decisions, ground-breaking, but entirely unrecognised, contributions to the world. We’re looking for images that…
Botswana Diamonds (BOD) has revealed that the planned intensification drilling on its Thorny River prospect in South Africa has commenced, with the first four holes intersecting kimberlite at predicted thicknesses and depths. According to the exploration company, the programme, which consists of forty reverse circulation angle percussion boreholes drilled to a depth of 30 metres is expected to be completed within the next four weeks. “The purpose of this drilling programme is to enable detailed planning for the proposed bulk sampling programme for Thorny River, which will commence on completion of drilling activities and after the necessary regulatory approvals have…